Alphons Kannanthanam may decide winner in Ernakulam

KOCHI: The candidature of Alphons Kannanthanam in Ernakulam Lok Sabha constituency has presented an interesting situation, with the voters of Kalamassery likely to have the final say in the poll outcome.
With the polling less than a fortnight away, Hibi Eden of the Congress seems to be ahead in Kochi, Thrikkakkara and Ernakulam assembly segments, while his rival, P Rajeeve of the CPM has an upper hand in Tripunithura, Paravoor and Vypeen.This distribution of assembly segments makes Kalamassery the focal point of both campaigners and political observers.
Chances of Hindu, especially Nair, votes—which used to go to K V Thomas’s kitty in previous elections—getting distributed among the three Fronts are high. The presence Kannanthanam in the fray has become a boon for Rajeeve.
According to BJP leaders in Kochi, Kannanthanam may garner a sizable chunk of Christian votes, thereby giving a jolt to the UDF candidate. “He is very active in the campaign and will certainly improve the party’s standing,” a BJP leader said.
In Thrikkakara, a UDF stronghold, Eden’s campaign is yet to gain momentum. “We expect the campaign to gather steam in the coming days,” said Benny, an autorickshaw driver from Kakkanad. “Alphons Kannanthanam held his campaign programme in Kakkanad the other day, and it was a sizable crowd attended it.” Benny, however, was unsure whether the turnout would translate into votes.
In Maradu area, many voters said that they would support LDF, but there were voices of dissent as well. “Post-flood, the MLA didn’t support us,” said Pratheesh of Maradu.
In Perumbadappu near Palluruthy, voters opined that both the LDF and UDF candidates are eminent personalities. “It will be a stiff fight here,” said Abu, a fish vendor. He says he is a supporter of UDF as Thomas and Eden helped him lead a normal life after he had lost a leg to ailments.
At Koya Bazar in Kumbalanghi, four elderly persons were engaged in a chat. Sadasivan, 80, Babu, 69, Aravindakshan, 69 and Pazherikkal Alexander, 80, were discussing about the delay in getting old-age pension.
“The cooperative bank has disbursed the pension. But, SBT is yet to distribute. They cite absence of officials as the reason for the delay,” Babu said. “There may be some hidden agenda for the delay,” he reasoned.
While Sadasivan, Babu and Aravindakshan felt Rajeeve will win, Alexander sounded confused. “We can’t say. It is a tight competition here,” Alexander said.
Unlike in other assembly constituencies where LDF and UDF would be retaining their majorities, in Kalamassery Rajeeve may cut in to the UDF votes. Whether he could mop up majority from Kalamassery will decide the outcome of the contest. The Sabarimala issue will be one of the key factors here.